Cvesperus

Cucumber Melon by Bath & Body Works is a playful fragrance that rouses childhood nostalgia. It’s quite sweet, fruity, and aquatic. In some ways it reminds me of a flavored ice cold vitamin water, or a scented hand sanitizer without all the alcohol. The juicy honeydew note is front and center, while cucumber adds a bit of watery vegetal crispness. In my opinion, the florals are barely detectable, and I’m not getting any musk. It has a very positive, peaceful, and carefree energy to it. I don’t typically enjoy clean scents, but Cucumber Melon does not hurt my head at all and really makes me feel refreshed and renewed. Perfect for something like a DIY spa day at home. Put it on right after a nice long bath to feel fresh for hours afterwards. Solidly a daytime summer fragrance, though it could work for late spring too.

Pacifica’s Indian Coconut Nectar is a super sweet treat for the nose. Very warm, smooth, and creamy. It’s reminiscent of suntan lotions in that it’s a bit buttery, or a coconut snowcone in that it’s extremely sweet and syrupy, but I think Indian Coconut Nectar is prettier and less synthetic than either. Thus, the image I get is sunbathing on the shore and sipping on a fresh young coconut in bliss. The fragrance is equally sweetened condensed coconutmilk and vanilla. Simple and delicious, straightforward and no frills. Don’t expect anything complicated. It’s just sweet vanilla coconut, but I like it. Wear this when you want to feel the carefree serenity of summer youth, a sweet gentle breeze on a warm beach day. A leisure fragrance. Props for a vegan company coming up with something fun and inexpensive.

Vintage by American Eagle is a nostalgic little fragrance. It’s a sweet, fruity apple musk that smells of a coming-of-age summer break adventure— at least, that’s my association. Casual but also alluring, youthful but also seductive. Woody and soft floral notes add to its complexity, but the sweet and sour tropical fruit is definitely the most forward. The musk isn’t overwhelming and works to deepen an otherwise light and carefree fragrance. It’s the pretty girl next door in jeans and a t-shirt with whom you have a summer fling. Definitely best suited for leisurely daytime occasions. It really takes me back to 2013!

Banana Republic’s Classic is a simple, fresh, citrusy musk. I’m really, really not big on fresh musk fragrances (yet another gift from my father, oops), but this is the least offensive one in my collection. It’s softer and more elegant— probably the florals at play— making it feminine-leaning unisex. Slight sweet like crisp clementine, but if you love sweet fragrances don’t expect much. The ginger thankfully isn’t too spicy. It reminds me of those travel sized complimentary liquid body washes from a hotel that you would take home while on vacation to use again later. If you’re trying to smell like you just stepped out of the shower, this is a bright and refreshing choice. I think it works very well as a professional daytime summer and perhaps late spring fragrance, though other occasions are appropriate as well. I don’t dislike it, and it has somewhat grown on me, which is saying something if you know of my tastes.

Good Chemistry’s Silver Coast is youthful, cool, confident, and fresh. It’s clean, salty sea spray with a bit of sour (not sweet) citrus and herbal rosemary. It would work well as a unisex daytime summer fragrance for any occasion. It is a little generic to be honest, and I should note that as a gourmand lover, I’m going to be biased, so take what I say with a grain of salt. Luckily it’s a lighter cologne, so less headache inducing if you’re anything like me and experience a general aversion to fragrances like this one for daily use. It gives me the impression of an attractive young man discovering his sense of fashion and fragrance, dressing up to charm new acquaintances at chic summertime outings. Thus, it’s my preferred choice for professional summertime events, though it’s an equally well suited option for sport and leisure. I don't particularly favor it for any other purposes. Another gift from my father who doesn't quite realize I dislike many fresh fragrances he loves.